Download Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Drug Utilization Among Breast Cancer

Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Drug Utilization Among Breast Cancer Patients in University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital, (Unth) Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Ene N Jane1 and Ubaka M Chukwuemeka2
1,2
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Corresponding author: Ene N Jane
[email protected] Phone +2348037509654
ABSTRACT
Background: In cancer management, drug utilization indices are great determinants of the outcome of
therapy and rational use of drugs.
Objective: To evaluate the anti-cancer drug utilization in patients with breast cancer in UNTH Enugu
within a period of 5 years by assessing the types, quantity, pattern and quality of anti-cancer drugs used,
against the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.
Methods: A five-year(2011-2015) retrospective review of case notes of breast cancer patients’, who
presented at the Surgical Out- Patient (SOPD), Oncology Unit and Radio Therapy Departments (RTD),
was conducted in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital using a structured data collection form.
Results: Of the 314 administered anti-cancer drugs, 27(8.6%) were hormonal therapies. The most
administered chemotherapy regimen is adriamycin-cyclophosphamide regimen 107(30.9%), with a
noticeable increase in the use of paclitaxel alone regimen over the given period. Despite a recorded
100% accurate dose calculations, 278 (88.5%) doses were administered at the appropriate frequency,
whilst only 206(65.6%) of the appropriate cycles were completed. Generic prescriptions and injectable
drugs recorded were 191(60.8%) and 275(87.57%) respectively.
Conclusion: Amongst the anticancer drug options, Chemotherapy is the most prescribed (mostly
Adramycin-cyclophosphamide). A good percentage of the patients did not complete their medication
cycle or follow strictly, the prescribed frequency for their anti-cancer therapy. Effort should be put in
place to encourage rational drug use.
Keywords: drug utilization, anti-cancer, breast cancer, chemotherapy